After three decades of leadership, Joseph Hagerty, current chief executive officer of Oates Associates, Inc., is retiring at the end of 2022.
Hagerty began with Oates Associates in 1991 as controller where he soon transitioned to vice president and then CEO. With his leadership and guidance, the firm has earned many accolades and has seen unprecedented growth. Oates Associates is now a 60-person firm with four offices that work collaboratively with transportation and facility clients. With Hagerty’s focus on the advancement of engineering through employee development and client satisfaction, the firm has been bestowed such honors as Best Engineering Firm from St. Louis Small Business Monthly, Employer of the Year from Women’s Transportation Seminar, received the Private Practice Professional Development Award from the National Society of Professional Engineers and has been consecutively ranked as one of St. Louis’ largest engineering firms by the St. Louis Business Journal.
“Joe has been an extreme asset to our firm, not only providing expertise in business operations but also being able to provide a full understanding of the engineering profession. This unique combination of skills minimized risk and protected our firm, made us profitable and allowed us to expand into other markets and grow with confidence,” said President Bruce Schopp.
“I am proud of the firm we have built,” said Hagerty. He went on to say, “We have fostered good and meaningful careers for staff, provided solid advice and impactful solutions to clients, and we have designed projects that have improved the communities where we live and work. Engineering is truly a higher calling and I have been privileged to work with some brilliant engineers throughout the years. Several individuals have been with the firm for most of their career and have developed strong leadership skills, which has helped guide this transition.”
Schopp was appointed President in 2010 and will continue within that role alongside Jeffrey Rensing, who has been named Chief Executive Officer, effective January 2, 2023. Working closely with Rensing and Schopp will be firm principals Michael Busch, Thomas Cissell and Steven Keil.
